AUGUST 2008

WELCOME

Welcome to the second edition of RG E-News, the newsletter dedicated to Australian Rhythmic Gymnastics enthusiasts. Your feedback after the release of Issue 1 was very positive with lots of ideas presented for future editions. A big thank you to the coaches and gymnasts that took the time to complete the survey. Your efforts are appreciated by the National SMC.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

· 2008 RG National Championships

· 2008 RG Levels Tour

· Naazmi’s Olympic Preparation

· Athlete Spotlight

· Amy Khera’s Retirement

· 2007 RG National Awards

· 2008 – 2009 Senior and Junior National Squad

· 2009 – 2012 FIG Code of Points

· 2008 National Events

· 2009 National Championships

· Groups in 2009

· Coaching Hint

2008 RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Podium Training at the 2008 RG National Championships in Adelaide

2008 RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

The 2008 RG National Championships were held at the Marion Leisure and Fitness Centre in Morphettville Adelaide from the 15-20 July 2008. A very efficient team of volunteers assisted the Gymnastics Australia’s event staff to ensure the event was a wonderful experience for the 155 gymnasts and 70 officials attending the event. Special thanks also go to the staff of Gymnastics South Australia for their help at the event and opening their office to allow GA staff to access their office equipment and meeting room.

The Championships covered the Team, All Around and Apparatus Finals for Level 7, 8, 9 and 10, Stages 3 and 4, and Junior and Senior divisions of competition. Gymnastics Australia also welcomed gymnasts and officials from New Zealand.

The results from the 2008 RG National Championships can be downloaded from the Gymnastics Australia website located at www.gymnastics.or.au. Click here to download the results.

Trying to take the winter chill off the air at the Marion Leisure Centre

2008 Junior Team Champions – Western Australia

Medal presentation time for the gymnasts

2008 Olympian Naazmi Johnston signing event posters at the 2008 RG National Championships

AROUND THE NATION

There’s plenty of action for gymnasts, coaches and judges in 2008.

STATE	EVENT	LOCATION	CONTACT
ACT	Not Available		Gymnastics ACT (02) 6257 7544 Email: admin@actga.net
NSW 2-3 August 3 August 9-10 August 30-31 August 6 September 20-21 September 25 October	RG L1-6 Qualifier RG L1-6 BCI Invitational RG L1-10 Yotala Invitational RG L1-6 State Championships Level 1B RG Judges Course & Shorthand Workshop Level 2A RG Judges Course RG State Categories	Pymble Boys Club Inverell Yotala Gymnastics Sydney Sports Centre GNSW Office Homebush GNSW Office Homebush Sydney Sports Centre	Gymnastics NSW (02) 9763 5011 Email: info@gymnsw.org.au
NT	Not Available		Gymnastics NT (08) 8927 9262 Email: nt.gymnastics@bigpond.com
QLD 8 August 6 September 20 – 21 September 18 October	QGSSA Multiples Trial RG Multiples States & RG Sunshine Team Challenge 1A and 1B Judges Course	Brisbane TBC Moreton Bay College Caloundra Brisbane	Gymnastics QLD (07) 3391 4065 Email: info@gymqld.org.au
SA 30 August 25 – 26 October 8 November 29 November	Pairs and Trios Competition Level 1 Coaches Course State Multiples Championships Two Apparatus Competition	Marion	Gymnastics SA (08) 8294 8288 Email: admin@gymsa.com.au
TAS 19 October	RG Award Test & L1-3 Competition	TBA	Gymnastics TAS (03) 6278 2378 Email: admin@gymtas.com
VIC 10 August 2-5 September 30 Sept – 1 October 26 October 23 November 7 December	State Pennant Interschool Gymnastics Championships Aussie All Stars Vic Championships L4-6 VIC Categories Championships Level Award Test	DISC Prahran Prahran	Gymnastics VIC (03) 9214 6020 Email: info@gymnasticsvictoria.org.au
WA 2-3 August 16-17 August 30 August 1-2 November 15-16 November 30 November	RG Winter Challenge L4-6 Loftus Challenge L4-6,Cat 3-5 Multiples RG SAT Elite Rhythmic Spectacular L1-6, Stages 1&2, Cat 1&2 Multiples RG State Championships L1-6, Stages 1&2, Cat 1&2 Multiples RG SAT L4-9	Loftus Loftus Loftus Loftus Loftus Loftus	Gymnastics WA (08)9228 9399 Email: info@gymnasticswa.asn.au
NATIONAL EVENTS
18 October 2008 2-4 October 2008 14 December 2008	RG Skoolgirls Championships RG National Club Championships 2009 AYOF Selection Trial	PLC Sydney, Croydon Melbourne Girls College TBA	Gymnastics Australia (03) 9830 4588 Email: kwilliams@gymnastics.org.au
INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
8-24 August 30-31 August 26-30 September 3-5 October 28-29 October 31 October – 2 Nov	Olympic Games Auckland RG Championships New Zealand National Championships 7^th RG World Cup Final Test Event World Games 3^rd Angel Cup	Beijing, China Auckland, New Zealand Hamilton, New Zealand Benidorm, Spain Kaohsiung, Taipei Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	msteiner11@hotmail.com kwilliams@gymnastics.org.au kwilliams@gymnastics.org.au swjoy@pd.jaring.my

2008 RG LEVELS TOUR TO NEW ZEALAND

Congratulations to the following gymnasts and officials who have been selected to represent Australia at the 2008 New Zealand National Championships. The team will travel to Mystery Creek in Hamilton departing Australia on the 25 September and returning on the 1 October 2008. The gymnasts were selected based on the results they achieved at the 2008 RG Levels Tour Selection Trial that was held in conjunction with the 2008 RG National Championships. Best wishes and every success to all team members.

Level 7

Georgia Pase QLD

Kelly Harrison WA

Melissa Haddad NSW

Alberta Nadar NSW - Reserve

Level 8

Kaylan Lawrence NSW

Abigail McPherson NSW

Stephanie Lee VIC

Lucy Mulcahy VIC

Louisa Haddad NSW - Reserve

Level 9

Aimee Hanson QLD

Pamela Rizzo WA

Kvitka Becker SA

Georgia Braithwaite NSW - Reserve

Level 10

Tahnee Cowie WA

Karina Lee NSW

Ameline Edwards-Frainey QLD

Meg Russell QLD - Reserve

Officials

Jo Edinger – Team Manager

Tanya Vahala – Coach

Jenny Whitworth – Coach

Romana Becker – Coach

Michaela Pendleton – Judge

Stephanie Schahinger – Judge

Rebecca Polglase-Beck – Judge

2008 RG SKOOLGIRLS CHAMPIONSHIPS

The RG National SMC is pleased to announce the date and venue for the 2008 RG Skoolgirls Championships. The event will be held on the 18^th October 2008 at PLC Sydney in Croydon. The RG Skoolgirls Championships is an exciting national competition especially designed for schools. Each school may enter as many groups (4-5 gymnasts per group) as they like to compete in the following divisions:

Category 1: Freehand Groups (Years 1-6 Primary)

Category 3: Group Ball (Years 3-9 Primary – Secondary)

Category 4: group Clubs (Years 7-12 Secondary)

Schools will be required to purchase the 2008 – 2009 National Program Manual which provides all the technical information required to ensure this program can be implemented by teachers and coaches.

For further information please contact Karon Williams (08) 9 245 6777 or email kwilliams@gymnastics.org.au

Nicole Higham 0412 469 550 nhigham@gymnastics.org.au

RG RESOURCES

2009 FIG RG CODE OF POINTS V2

Following the decisions taken by the FIG Executive Committee members during their last meeting in Cape Town in May 2008, the updated version of the FIG RG 2009 Code of Points, duly approved by the Executive Committee in South Africa, is now posted on the Gymnastics Australia RG website. Click here to download the document.

This updated version will be used for the preparation of the RG Intercontinental Judge’s Course in Minsk, Belarus in November 2008

Further amendments or clarifications to this edition of the RG 2009 Code of Points may be made at the completion of the RG Intercontinental Judge’s course.

NATIONAL PROGRAM MANUAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

A NPM Review Committee has been formed to review the current National Program Manual that is due to expire at the end of 2009. The Committee has a representative from each state who will report back to their State Sports Management Committee on all matters relating to proposed changes to the manual. The Committee aims to have the 2010 – 2013 Manual ready for release at the 2009 National Championships in Brisbane.

Members of the NPM Review Committee

Teresa Evans (NTD) – Chairperson

Simone Allen (WA)

Robyn Pride (NSW)

Lynae Inkster (SA)

Emma Taylor (VIC)

Vanessa Polglase-Beck (QLD)

ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Jaelle Cohen – Junior Gymnast

Coached by: Danielle Leray

Club: Meriden Rhythmic Gymnastics Club

Birthday: 4 October 1993

How long have you been involved in RG? 7 years. I started at the NSW HPC and then moved to the Meriden Club.

Favorite gymnast: Not sure

Favorite food: Lasagna

Hobbies: Gym and dance (ballet, jazz and tap)

Favorite apparatus: Rope

National Squad: 2007 – 2008 Junior National Squad

Australian representation: 2008 Pacific Rim Championships, San Jose USA

Club Representation: 2008 LA Lights and Yule Cup

Goal: To achieve top 3 ranking in the Junior division of competition

Jaelle Cohen (NSW) – Meriden Rhythmic Gymnastics Club

Danielle Prince – Senior Gymnast

Coached by: Phoebe Anderson

Club: Queensland Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy

Birthday: 12 June 1992

How long have you been involved in RG? I started at the age of 10. This is my 6^th year.

Favorite gymnast: Simona Peycheva (Bulgaria)

Favorite food: Fruit salad

Hobbies: Hanging out with friends

Favorite apparatus: Clubs and Ball

Australian representation: 2007 AYOF Team

Highlight of career: 2007 AYOF and 2008 Pacific Alliance Selection Trial

Goal: To represent Australia at the World Championships, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games

Danielle Prince (QLD) – Queensland Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy

2007 – 2008 SENIOR AND JUNIOR NATIONAL SQUADS

Congratulations to the following gymnasts who achieved the National Squad qualification score at the 2008 RG National Championships in Adelaide. These gymnasts are eligible to be selected to represent Australia at international events in 2008 – 2009.

Naazmi Johnston (QLD)

Senior National Squad